CHAPTER NINETEEN: CHALLENGED BY THE PILLARS

Eshya was nervous as she entered the large room to find the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and eleventh pillars in their respective seats. The meeting room is a large round hall with thirteen seats – twelve primary seats in a semi-circle arrangement to a grander seat – at the center while the audience seats are spread through the rest of the hall behind these thirteen seats.

Apart from the six pillars inside the hall, Eshya found the keepers of the temple were present. It's customary, after all, to have the future pillars obtain first-hand experience on occasions like this.

“Welcome, Priestess Eshya.” The second pillar spoke first. “I apologize on behalf of my fellow pillars for calling you here on such short notice.”

Eshya nodded. "Sun-blessed noon to the six pillars present." She walked over to settle in the grander seat, as it is reserved for the holy star symbol during a meeting. She noticed Gambit, who had followed her into the hall, had also taken a seat in the audience